Convertible travel accessory

ABSTRACT

A convertible travel accessory in accordance with one embodiment includes a main body that in a first state assumes a hoodie form for being worn on a head of a user and in a second state assumes a storage pouch form. The travel accessory also includes a chin pillow that is coupled to and adjustable relative to the main body for placement beneath a chin of a user, wherein in the second state, the chin pillow is inserted into the storage pouch. An optional blanket can also be provided as part of the travel accessory and can be permanently attached to the chin pillow (e.g., along a bottom edge thereof) or it can be detachably coupled to the chin pillow.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/803,839, filed Feb. 11, 2019 and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/820,545, filed Mar. 19, 2019, allof which are incorporated by reference, as if expressly set forth intheir respective entireties herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to travel accessories and moreparticularly, relates to a travel accessory that is convertible betweena pouch and a hoodie that that has a chin pillow along with anoptionally blanket.

BACKGROUND

There are a wide assortment of accessories that are available totravelers with many of the more popular accessories incorporating apillow, such as a neck pillow, that can be worn as during a flight on anairplane. This very popular travel accessory is essentially a U-shapedpillow that is worn around the traveler's neck with coverage being alongthe back of the neck and the sides of neck. This is intended to allowthe traveler to relax his or her head backwards and have neck supportdue to the presence of the pillow. If the traveler's head nods to theleft or right, the neck pillow provides some support as well. However,these neck pillows provide no support when the traveler's head nodsforward. In this forward nod position, the head is not supported by thepillow.

It is therefore desirable and there is a need for a travel accessorythat not only provides coverage over the eyes to allow rest by thetraveler but also provides support to the traveler's head in the eventthat the head nodes forward during sleep.

SUMMARY

A convertible travel accessory in accordance with one embodimentincludes a main body that in a first state assumes a hoodie form forbeing worn on a head of a user and in a second state assumes a storagepouch form. The travel accessory also includes a chin pillow that iscoupled to and adjustable relative to the main body for placementbeneath a chin of a user, wherein in the second state, the chin pillowis inserted into the storage pouch. An optional blanket can also beprovided as part of the travel accessory and can be permanently attachedto the chin pillow (e.g., along a bottom edge thereof) or it can bedetachably coupled to the chin pillow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is front elevation view of a travel accessory according to afirst embodiment of the present invention and shown with an optionalblanket in an unfolded condition;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the travel accessory with theblanket in a folded condition and shown as being permanently attached toa chin pillow;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the travel accessory with theblanket in the folded condition and shown as being detachably coupled tothe chin pillow;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the travel accessory with theoptional blanket being partially inserted into a main hoodie portion ofthe travel accessory to create a carry pouch;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the travel accessory with theoptional blanket fully inserted into the main hoodie portion;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the travel accessory in an in-useposition;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the travel accessory with drawingstrings tightened to form the fully enclosed carry pouch; and

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of a travel accessory with a detachablepillow pouch;

FIG. 10 is rear elevation view of a travel accessory with a detachablepillow pouch; and

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the pillow pouch in an open state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a travel accessory 100 in accordance with a firstembodiment of the present invention. The travel accessory 100 isconfigured to be used during travel, such as when traveling on a bus,train or airplane.

FIG. 8 illustrates the travel accessory 100 in a first position whichcan be considered a storage position. In the storage position, thetravel accessory 100 has a pouch like appearance in that it is definedby a first body (first part) 110 that preferably is a piece of fabricthat is folded so as to define an interior space that receives and holdsother parts of the travel accessory as described herein. As described inmore detail below, a peripheral edge of the first part 110 can betightened/gathered as, for example, by cinching action. As describedherein, one more cinching elements can used to reduce the size of theperipheral edge of the first part 110 so to restrict and close off theentrance to the interior space of the pouch, thereby closing off thefirst part 110. It will be appreciated that while the pouch defined bythe first part 110 is described as containing and holding other partsthat are integral and a part of the travel accessory, other unrelatedobjects can be placed into this interior space. In this way, the pouchdefined by the first part 110 functions like any traditional pouch(closeable bag) or satchel. For example, personal objects, like glassesor earplugs, can be placed within the interior space.

FIGS. 1-8 show the travel accessory 100 in various states with FIG. 1being an in-use position, which as described herein is configured to beworn over a user's head and provide chin support to allow the user tonod forward as in a rest or sleeping position.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the firstpart 110 comprises a piece of fabric having a first edge 112 and anopposite second edge 114. The first edge 112 is a folded edge in thatthe fabric at first edge 112 is folded over on top of itself and securedto itself, as by stitching, so as to define a first channel 115 definedwithin the first folded over edge 112. Similarly, the second edge is afolded edge in that the fabric at second edge 114 is folded over on topof itself and secured to itself, as by stitching, so as to define asecond channel 117 defined within the second folded over edge 114.

In the closed storage position of the first part 110, the first andsecond edges 112, 114 are drawn to one another so to generally define acircular shaped peripheral edge that completes the interior space anddefines the pouch like structure in the storage position.

The first part 110 not only defines the body of the pouch in the storageposition, but when the first part 110 is inverted to a second (in-use)position, it defines a hood (hoodie) that can be worn over thetraveler's head. When the first part 110 is in the form a hood, thefirst folded edge 112 represents a front edge of the hood and the secondfolded edge 114 represents a bottom edge of the hood. The front edgebeing the U-shaped edge that extends along the sides of the traveler'shead along the top of the head, while the bottom edge is the edge thatextends along the back of the neck of the traveler.

Open ends of the first channel 115 and the second channel 117 areproximate one another in the second (in-use) position shown in FIG. 1. Amain strap 150 has a first end 152 and an opposite second end 154. Themain strap 150 is fed through the first channel 115 such that the firstend 152 is exposed at one end of the first channel 115 and the secondend 154 is exposed at the other open end of the first channel 115. Eachof the first end 152 and the second end 154 can be a knotted end toensure that these ends 152, 154 remain outside of the first channel 115.Much like a winter coat or hoodie, when the two free ends 152, 154 arepulled downward away from the hoodie 110 and away from the ends of thechannel 115, the folded material defining the first channel 115 isbunched.

The travel accessory 100 has a second part 200 that is in the form of achin pillow or chin support structure that is configured to placed underthe chin of the user. The second part 200 is thus defined by a chinsupport body 210 such as a chin pillow that can have come in any numberof different shapes and sizes. For example, and as illustrated, the chinsupport body 210 can be a rectangular shaped pillow that has a first end212 and a second end 214. The first end 212 can be considered to be theside for placement on the left side of the user's chin and the secondend 214 can be considered to be the side for placement of the right sideof the user's chin.

The chin support body 210 (pillow) can also have a contoured shape suchas having a concave shaped top edge on which the user's chin rests.

The chin pillow 200 is coupled to the first part 110 (hoodie) in such away that the user can easily adjust the chin pillow 200 and morespecifically, the user can easily pull the chin pillow 200 away from theuser's face to create a more than adequate space for the user's head tobe received between the hoodie 110 and the chin pillow 200 as shown inFIG. 7. Once the user's head is received between the hoodie 110 and thechin pillow 200 with the head received within the hoodie 110, the userthen draws the chin pillow 200 inward towards the user's face toposition the chin pillow 200 below the chin.

In the illustrated embodiment, the chin pillow 200 is coupled to thefirst part 110 by a first chin strap 220 and a second chin strap 230.The first chin strap 220 includes a first end 222 that is fixedlyattached to the first end 212 of the chin support body 210 and a secondend 224 that is fed through the second channel 117 and exits the secondchannel 117 proximate the second end 224 of the chin support body 210.In other words, the first chin strap 220 enters the second channel 117on the left side of the user's face and passes through the secondchannel 117 along the rear of the user's neck until it exits the openend of the second channel 117 that is at the right side of the user'sface. The second end 224 thus represent a free end of the first chinstrap 220 can be knotted to prevent the second end 224 from beingaccidently pulled into the second channel 117. This knotted second end224 can thus be pulled in an outward direction away from the user' face(and chin) to cause the length of the first chin strap 220 that isexposed beyond the second channel 117 to increase. The result of thisoutward puling action of the first chin strap 220 is that the left sideof the chin support body 210 where the first end 222 of the first chinstrap 220 is attached to be drawn inward toward the user's face.

The second chin strap 230 includes a first end 232 that is fixedlyattached to the second end 224 of the chin support body 210 and a secondend 234 that is fed through the second channel 117 and exits the secondchannel 117 proximate the first end 222 of the chin support body 210. Inother words, the second chin strap 230 enters the second channel 117 onthe right side of the user's face and passes through the second channel117 along the rear of the user's neck until it exits the open end of thesecond channel 117 that is at the left side of the user's face. Thesecond end 234 thus represent a free end of the second chin strap 230can be knotted to prevent the second end 234 from being accidentlypulled into the second channel 117. This knotted second end 234 can thusbe pulled in an outward direction away from the user' face (and chin) tocause the length of the second chin strap 230 that is exposed beyond theopen end of second channel 117 to increase. The result of this outwardpuling action of the second chin strap 230 is that the right side of thechin support body 210 where the first end 232 of the second chin strap230 is attached to be drawn inward toward the user's face.

When the user wishes to remove the travel accessory 100, the user simplypulls the chin pillow 200 in a direction away from the face, therebyincreasing the space between the chin pillow 200 and the hoodie 110allowing the user's head to pass through this space as the travelaccessory 100 is raised relative to the user's head for removal thereof.

It will be appreciated that the free second ends 224, 234 of the fistchin strap 220 and the second chin strap 230 are used to convert thehoodie 110 into the pouch storage position shown in FIG. 8. In otherwords, to convert the travel accessory 100 into the storage pouch ofFIG. 8, the free second ends 224, 234 are pulled and act as a cinchingmechanism as described below, thereby causing the material forming thesecond channel 117 to bunch. The convertible nature of the travelaccessory 100 is further described below.

The travel accessory 100 also includes an optional blanket 300. Theblanket 300 can be permanently attached to the chin pillow 200 as shownin FIG. 2 or the blanket 300 can be detachably coupled to the chinpillow 200 as shown in FIG. 3. In the case in which the blanket 300 isdetachably coupled to the chin pillow 200 (FIG. 3), a fastener mechanismcan be used to achieve such arrangement. For example, one or morefasteners 301 can be provided for detachably coupling the blanket 300 tothe chin pillow 200. Any number of different types of fasteners 301 canbe used including but not limited to a zipper (as shown), snaps,buttons, hook and loop material, etc. In this way, if the user wishes todetach the blanket 300 from the chin pillow 200, the user simplyunfastens the fastener 301 to detach the blanket 300 from the chinpillow 200.

The optional blanket 300 can also be provided in the form of an openableand closable pouch (outer shell) 310 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The pouch310 can include a fastener 315 for opening and closing the pouch 310.The fastener 315 can include any number of different types of fasteners,including but not limited to a zipper (as shown), snaps, buttons, hookand loop material, etc. When the fastener 315 is opened, the pouch 310is opened to expose a main portion 320 of the blanket 300 that can beunfolded from the pouch 310 as shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the pouch 310can have two halves (shell construction) that open along a middleportion as by the fastener 315 to allow the main portion 310 to befolded out of the open pouch 310. When unfolded, the blanket 300 canhave diamond shape with one corner being attached to the inside of thepouch 310 such that when the blanket 300 is unfolded, the other threecorners of the blanket 300 are exposed.

It will be appreciated that the fastener 315 is illustrated as facingaway from the user's head (body); however, this is merely one locationof the fastener 315 and instead, the fastener 315 can be on the oppositeface of the pouch 310 in that it can face inward toward to the user'sbody.

During use when the travel accessory 100 is worn on the user's head withthe chin pillow 200 positioned below the chin, the blanket 300 willunfold out over the user's lap for providing travel comfort.

Once the use of the blanket 300 is complete, the blanket 300 is foldedback into the inside of the pouch 310 and then the fastener 315 isfastened to close up the pouch 310.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the travel accessory 100 in use with a head of theuser being shown. As shown in FIG. 7, the head is received between thechin pillow 200 and the rear of the hoodie.

It will also be appreciated that other features can be incorporated intothe chin pillow 200 such as battery powered heating elements, massageelements, etc. Also, the chin pillow can be formed of two or morematerials, such as a core and an outer covering.

FIGS. 4-5 shows a method of converting the travel accessory 100 into thepouch. The blanket 300 is folded up on top of the chin pillow 200 intothe interior of the hoodie 110. The chin pillow 200 itself is drawn intothe interior of the hoodie 110. To form the pouch shown in FIG. 8, thefree ends 152, 154 of the main strap 150 and the free ends 224, 234 ofthe chin straps 220, 230 are pulled outward to cinch the material thatforms the hoodie 110. In this fully cinched condition of FIG. 8, thechin pillow 200 and the blanket 300 are fully contained in the closedpouch and only the material of the hoodie 110 is visible. As mentionedherein, other objects, beyond the pillow 200 and blanket 300, can beinserted into the pouch.

FIG. 9 depicts another embodiment in which an alternative blanketconstruction is shown. In particular, blanket pouch 310 is formed of twohalves (two end portions of a common piece of fabric) that holdsgenerally in half to define the pouch 310 as shown. FIG. 9 shows theblanket pouch 310 with a forward-facing fastener 315, while FIGS. 10-11show a rearward-facing fastener 315. In FIG. 9, the blanket pouch 310open forward, while in FIGS. 10-11 show the blanket pouch 310 openingrearward.

One part of the fastener 315 is formed along one side edge (at a firstend) of the pouch, while the other part of the fastener 315 is formed atthe other side edge (at a second end) of the pouch. When these twofastener parts are joined, an enclosure structure is formed (since bothends of the fabric are folded over toward each other). As shown, thepouch includes a pair of second fasteners 330 with one second fastenerposition proximate one fastener part 315 and the other second fastener330 being proximate the other fastener part 315. The pair of secondfasteners 330 can be hook and loop patches or any number of other typesof fasteners. This pair of second fasteners 330 do not mate with eachother but mate with a pair of third fasteners 340 also provided on thepouch 310. The pair of second fasteners 330 is formed on one surface(e.g., outer blanket pouch surface shown in FIG. 10), while the pair ofthird fasteners 340 is formed on the other surface (e.g., inner surfaceof the pouch as shown in FIG. 10). The two ends of the pouch 310 arejoined by fastener 315 (to form an enclosed pouch with an open bottom)and then the bottom fabric is folded up to place the pair of thirdfasteners 340 into contact with the second fasteners 330 so as to closeoff the bottom of the pouch and partially cover the fastener 315 asshown in the figures.

The second and third fasteners 330, 340 are not limited to being hookand loop material but can be any of the fasteners mentioned herein andother conventional ones.

In addition, the blanket itself can be removable from the blanket pouch310 as for example, by having fasteners at a top end of the blanket thatremovably mate with fasteners on the pouch. Any of the fastenersdescribed herein can be used, such as hook and loop material. Thisallows the blanket to be detached from the pouch 310 and the hoodie andchin pillow. In an alternative embodiment, the blanket can have hook andloop fasteners that mate with complementary hook and loop fasteners thatare inside the blanket pouch.

What is claimed is:
 1. A convertible travel accessory comprising: a mainbody that in a first state assumes a hoodie form for being worn on ahead of a user and in a second state assumes a storage pouch form; achin pillow that is coupled to and adjustable relative to the main bodyfor placement beneath a chin of a user, wherein in the second state, thechin pillow is inserted into the storage pouch.
 2. The travel accessoryof claim 1, wherein the hoodie includes a first enclosed channel and asecond enclosed channel, wherein the chin pillow is coupled to the mainbody through the second enclosed channel.
 3. The travel accessory ofclaim 2, wherein in the first state, the first channel is formed so asto extend along sides of the head and along a forehead of the head andthe second channel is formed so as to extend from the two sides of thehead and along a rear of the head.
 4. The travel accessory of claim 2,wherein the first enclosed channel includes a main strap that has freefirst and second ends that are positioned outside respective first andsecond open ends of the first channel.
 5. The travel accessory of claim2, wherein the chin pillow has a first chin strap that is fixedlyattached to a first end of the chin pillow and enters a first end of thesecond enclosed channel and passes through the second enclosed channeluntil exiting from a second end thereof, wherein the chin pillow has asecond chin strap that is fixedly attached to a second end of the chinpillow and enters the second end of the second enclosed channel andpasses through the second enclosed channel until exiting from the firstend thereof.
 6. The travel accessory of claim 1, further including ablanket that is coupled to the chin pillow and configured to be foldedinto the storage pouch in the second state of the main body.
 7. Thetravel accessory of claim 6, wherein the blanket is detachably coupledto a bottom edge of the chin pillow.
 8. The travel accessory of claim 7,wherein the blanket is detachably coupled to the bottom edge with afirst fastener.
 9. The travel accessory of claim 8, wherein the firstfastener is selected from the group consisting of: a zipper, snaps,button, and hook and loop material.
 10. The travel accessory of claim 6,wherein the blanket has an outer shell portion and a main blanketportion that is contained within the outer shell portion in a storagestate.
 11. The travel accessory of claim 10, wherein the outer shellportion has a second fastener for closing the outer shell portion,whereby when the outer shell portion is closed, the main blanket portionis fully contained within the outer shell portion.
 12. The travelaccessory of claim 11, wherein the second fastener is selected from thegroup consisting of: a zipper, snaps, button, and hook and loopmaterial.
 13. A convertible travel accessory comprising: a main bodythat in a first state assumes a hoodie form for being worn on a head ofa user and in a second state assumes a storage pouch form; a chin pillowthat is coupled to and adjustable relative to the main body forplacement beneath a chin of a user, wherein in the second state, thechin pillow is inserted into the storage pouch while maintaining itscoupling to the main body; and a blanket that is coupled to the chinpillow and can be positioned between a closed position and an openposition, wherein in the second state, the blanket is inserted into thestorage pouch while maintaining its coupling to the chin pillow.
 14. Thetravel accessory of claim 13, wherein the blanket is disposed within ablanket pouch that is detachably coupled to the chin pillow, the blanketpouch having an open position in which the blanket can be removed and aclosed position.
 15. The travel accessory of claim 14, wherein theblanket pouch includes a foldable body with an open bottom end, theblanket pouch including a main fastener for joining two sides of thefoldable body and a secondary fastener for closing the open bottom endof the foldable body.
 16. The travel accessory of claim 15, wherein themain fastener comprises a zipper and the secondary fastener comprises afirst set of hook and loop patches formed along an inside face of thefoldable body and a second set of hook and loop patches formed along anoutside of the foldable body for mating with the first set of hook andloop patches to close off the bottom end.
 17. The travel accessory ofclaim 14, wherein the blanket is free of fixed attachment to the blanketpouch and can be freely removed therefrom.